Dear Gwen,
This is the bed that you made, the ocean you chose to sail on, the goal you sought out - SO PLEASE SHUT UP.
You jumped out of a sports world, where you dominated with great feats. You embarrassed your competitors, and obliterated the field every time you competed, and you were/are well respected because of it, and you deserve it.
However, the sports world you have jumped into, the world of running, is a divergent beast than the sports world you jumped out of, and you have failed to recognize that. You have come into the running world with a self-placed crown on your head, claiming that you are going for gold in 2020, which resonated as you claiming that you are going to win gold in 2020. That rippled throughout the running world, and that instantly made you a villain, and you deserve to be just that, because running does not work that way.
What do I mean when I say that running does not work that way?
Well, for one, running is about time. Everything regarding running is about time. A runner must put in the time to train, and adaptation to that training takes time, and once a runner is in top form, then that runner goes after running a certain time to win a race and/or to break world records.
Now, in running, time is not relative, it is universal. Runners don't become world beaters in 2 years or 3 years, or even 4 years. It takes up to a decade or more for a runner to turn into a world class runner. Runners starts of as young kids and teenagers running XC and track in grade school, high school, or for a local running club, and if they show great talent at those levels, then they graduate to the college level, or maybe even turn pro if they are that good. That is the process of development, past or present, for every single runner on this planet. I don't know a single runner in the history of running who is absent of that process, so what makes you think that you are going to be a world beater in 2 years?
What makes you think that just because you beat triathletes with avg running ability that you are going to beat world class distance runners who can run sub 15 min 5000m in their sleep in 2 years?
What makes you think that you could put forth such a pompous claim and not receive any jeers from the running community because of it?
Now, had you come forth in a modest, humbling way, I'm sure your goal would have been perceived differently. Had you said, hey, I want to see if I can make the olympic marathon team, or see if I can compete against the world's best, we would have been more welcoming. We would have understood and revered your decision and mission, and we would be cheering for you at this very moment. But you didn't do that, Gwen. You rode in on a carpet of conceit, and now you want to pretend that you don't know why people are doubting you, or are not taking you seriously. That's still being arrogant, Gwen. You are still riding on your carpet of conceit.
Kipchoge can say that he is going for gold. Huddle can say that she is going for gold. Hasay can say that she is going for gold. They have put in the time, the years, and have competed at a high level in the world of running, so they have the history and ability to do so. Plus even when they make such a claim, it is put forth in a respectful way. It's not a campaign or slogan. It's a quest. One they have had since they were young, undeveloped runners, so they have earned that right.
You just got here, and since you just got here, do us all a favor and SHUT UP while you are here. Runners don't talk. They run. Once you learn that, then we might root for you. However, that will take TIME, and definitely more than 2 years.
Sincerely,
Not Team Gwen.
LRC Note: The title of the thread was changed from Gwen Jorgensen , PLEASE SHUT UP to the current title